What are the responsibilities and job description for the Post Doctoral Research Associate position at Inside Higher Ed?
Posting Number:
G/R31564P
Working Title:
Post Doctoral Research Associate
Department:
Franklin-School of Marine Prog
About The University Of Georgia:
Chartered by the state of Georgia in 1785, the University of Georgia is the birthplace of public higher education in America and is the state’s flagship university (https://www.uga.edu/). The proof is in our more than 240 years of academic and professional achievements and our continual commitment to higher education. UGA is currently ranked among the top 20 public universities in U.S. News & World Report. The University’s main campus is located in Athens, approximately 65 miles northeast of Atlanta, with extended campuses in Atlanta, Griffin, Gwinnett, and Tifton. UGA employs approximately 3,100 faculty and more than 7,700 full-time staff. The University’s enrollment exceeds 41,000 students including over 31,000 undergraduates and over 10,000 graduate and professional students. Academic programs reside in 19 schools and colleges, including our newly established School of Medicine.
About The College/Unit/Department:
The Marine Sciences Department (https://www.marsci.uga.edu/) is within UGA’s Franklin College of Arts and Sciences. UGA has unique analytical facilities, including the Center for Applied Isotope Studies (https://cais.uga.edu/), Georgia Genomics and Bioinformatics Core (https://dna.uga.edu/), and the Complex Carbohydrates Research Center (https://www.ccrc.uga.edu/) which houses a state-of-the-art NMR facility. UGA provides professional development and networking opportunities through the Office of Postdoctoral Affairs (https://postdocs.uga.edu/). The Spivak Lab is committed to supporting and sustaining a collaborative work and learning environment.
College/Unit/Department Website:
https://www.marsci.uga.edu/
Employment Type:
Employee
Advertised Salary:
Commensurate with experience
Anticipated Start Date:
02/01/2026
Posting Date:
12/01/2025
Open Until Filled:
Yes
Special Instructions To Applicants:
This position reports to Dr. Amanda Spivak in the Marine Sciences Department on UGA’s Athens campus. The appointment is for one year, with the option for renewal upon satisfactory performance. This full-time position offers salary and employee benefits in accordance with UGA policy. Applicants must submit a cover letter describing their expertise and interests, CV, one publication exemplifying their research, and contact information for three references. Letters of reference will be requested as needed. Review will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled, with the candidate starting during Spring 2026. Address inquiries and applications to Dr. Spivak at aspivak@uga.edu.
Location of Vacancy:
Athens Area
EOO Statement:
The University of Georgia is an Equal Opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, color, disability, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex, or veteran status or other protected status. Persons needing accommodations or assistance with the accessibility of materials related to this search are encouraged to contact Central HR (hrweb@uga.edu).
USG Core Values Statement:
The University System of Georgia is comprised of our 26 institutions of higher education and learning, as well as the System Office. Our USG Statement of Core Values are Integrity, Excellence, Accountability, and Respect. These values serve as the foundation for all that we do as an organization, and each USG community member is responsible for demonstrating and upholding these standards. More details on the USG Statement of Core Values and Code of Conduct are available in USG Board Policy 8.2.18.1.2 and can be found online at https://www.usg.edu/policymanual/section8/C224/#p8.2.18_personnel_conduct.
Additionally, USG supports Freedom of Expression as stated in Board Policy 6.5 Freedom of Expression and Academic Freedom found online at https://www.usg.edu/policymanual/section6/C2653.
Duties/Responsibilities:
Lead field and lab experiments based on abiotic gradients in GCE-LTER wetlands
Percentage Of Time:
45
Duties/Responsibilities:
Lead data sample and analyses, manuscript preparation, and publication of results. This will entail the use of multiple, complementary ecological and geochemical approaches.
Duties/Responsibilities:
Present results at relevant conferences and project meetings
Percentage Of Time:
5
Duties/Responsibilities:
Mentor junior students and lab members
Classification Title:
Post-Doctoral Associate AD
FLSA:
Exempt
FTE:
1.0
Position Summary:
Postdoctoral Researcher in Coastal Ecosystem Variability: The Spivak Coastal Biogeochemistry Lab seeks a Postdoctoral Researcher to interrogate variability as a predictor and metric of tidal wetland ecosystem functioning. Variability in abiotic drivers can be useful in predicting ecosystem trajectories while ecological variability can be a metric of behavior. The postdoc will contribute to field and lab experiments testing these ideas within the wetlands of the Georgia Coastal Ecosystems Long-Term Ecological Research (GCE-LTER) project. Experiments will build from 25 years of data collected by GCE-LTER’s multi-disciplinary team.
Knowledge, Skills, Abilities And/or Competencies :
No
Does this position have operation, access, or control of financial resources? :
No
Does this position require a P-Card? :
No
Is having a P-Card an essential function of this position? :
No
Is driving a requirement of this position?:
Yes
Does this position have direct interaction or care of children under the age of 18 or direct patient care?:
No
Does This Position Have Security Access (e.g., Public Safety, IT Security, Personnel Records, Patient Records, Or Access To Chemicals And Medications):
No
Background Investigation Policy:
Offers of employment are contingent upon completion of a background investigation including, a criminal background check demonstrating your eligibility for employment with the University of Georgia; confirmation of the credentials and employment history reflected in your application materials (including reference checks) as they relate to the job-based requirements of the position applied for; and, if applicable, a satisfactory credit check. You may also be subject to a pre-employment drug test for positions with high-risk responsibilities, if applicable. Please visit the UGA Background Check website.
Contact Details:
For questions concerning this position or recruitment progression, please refer to the Recruitment Contact listed below.
Recruitment Contact Name:
Amanda Spivak
Recruitment Contact Email:
apsivak@uga.edu
G/R31564P
Working Title:
Post Doctoral Research Associate
Department:
Franklin-School of Marine Prog
About The University Of Georgia:
Chartered by the state of Georgia in 1785, the University of Georgia is the birthplace of public higher education in America and is the state’s flagship university (https://www.uga.edu/). The proof is in our more than 240 years of academic and professional achievements and our continual commitment to higher education. UGA is currently ranked among the top 20 public universities in U.S. News & World Report. The University’s main campus is located in Athens, approximately 65 miles northeast of Atlanta, with extended campuses in Atlanta, Griffin, Gwinnett, and Tifton. UGA employs approximately 3,100 faculty and more than 7,700 full-time staff. The University’s enrollment exceeds 41,000 students including over 31,000 undergraduates and over 10,000 graduate and professional students. Academic programs reside in 19 schools and colleges, including our newly established School of Medicine.
About The College/Unit/Department:
The Marine Sciences Department (https://www.marsci.uga.edu/) is within UGA’s Franklin College of Arts and Sciences. UGA has unique analytical facilities, including the Center for Applied Isotope Studies (https://cais.uga.edu/), Georgia Genomics and Bioinformatics Core (https://dna.uga.edu/), and the Complex Carbohydrates Research Center (https://www.ccrc.uga.edu/) which houses a state-of-the-art NMR facility. UGA provides professional development and networking opportunities through the Office of Postdoctoral Affairs (https://postdocs.uga.edu/). The Spivak Lab is committed to supporting and sustaining a collaborative work and learning environment.
College/Unit/Department Website:
https://www.marsci.uga.edu/
Employment Type:
Employee
Advertised Salary:
Commensurate with experience
Anticipated Start Date:
02/01/2026
Posting Date:
12/01/2025
Open Until Filled:
Yes
Special Instructions To Applicants:
This position reports to Dr. Amanda Spivak in the Marine Sciences Department on UGA’s Athens campus. The appointment is for one year, with the option for renewal upon satisfactory performance. This full-time position offers salary and employee benefits in accordance with UGA policy. Applicants must submit a cover letter describing their expertise and interests, CV, one publication exemplifying their research, and contact information for three references. Letters of reference will be requested as needed. Review will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled, with the candidate starting during Spring 2026. Address inquiries and applications to Dr. Spivak at aspivak@uga.edu.
Location of Vacancy:
Athens Area
EOO Statement:
The University of Georgia is an Equal Opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, color, disability, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex, or veteran status or other protected status. Persons needing accommodations or assistance with the accessibility of materials related to this search are encouraged to contact Central HR (hrweb@uga.edu).
USG Core Values Statement:
The University System of Georgia is comprised of our 26 institutions of higher education and learning, as well as the System Office. Our USG Statement of Core Values are Integrity, Excellence, Accountability, and Respect. These values serve as the foundation for all that we do as an organization, and each USG community member is responsible for demonstrating and upholding these standards. More details on the USG Statement of Core Values and Code of Conduct are available in USG Board Policy 8.2.18.1.2 and can be found online at https://www.usg.edu/policymanual/section8/C224/#p8.2.18_personnel_conduct.
Additionally, USG supports Freedom of Expression as stated in Board Policy 6.5 Freedom of Expression and Academic Freedom found online at https://www.usg.edu/policymanual/section6/C2653.
Duties/Responsibilities:
Lead field and lab experiments based on abiotic gradients in GCE-LTER wetlands
Percentage Of Time:
45
Duties/Responsibilities:
Lead data sample and analyses, manuscript preparation, and publication of results. This will entail the use of multiple, complementary ecological and geochemical approaches.
Duties/Responsibilities:
Present results at relevant conferences and project meetings
Percentage Of Time:
5
Duties/Responsibilities:
Mentor junior students and lab members
Classification Title:
Post-Doctoral Associate AD
FLSA:
Exempt
FTE:
1.0
Position Summary:
Postdoctoral Researcher in Coastal Ecosystem Variability: The Spivak Coastal Biogeochemistry Lab seeks a Postdoctoral Researcher to interrogate variability as a predictor and metric of tidal wetland ecosystem functioning. Variability in abiotic drivers can be useful in predicting ecosystem trajectories while ecological variability can be a metric of behavior. The postdoc will contribute to field and lab experiments testing these ideas within the wetlands of the Georgia Coastal Ecosystems Long-Term Ecological Research (GCE-LTER) project. Experiments will build from 25 years of data collected by GCE-LTER’s multi-disciplinary team.
Knowledge, Skills, Abilities And/or Competencies :
- Ph.D. in Ecosystem Ecology, Geoscience, Marine Science, Environmental Science, or related field.
- Knowledge of ecological theory
- Lab and field experience with biogeochemical and ecological approaches.
- Experience analyzing and visualizing data in R and / or Matlab.
- Excellent interpersonal, teamwork, written, and verbal communication skills.
- Demonstrated record of publication in scientific journals.
- Ability to work with minimal supervision and provide supervision and mentorship to others.
- Experience conducting field work in wetlands and lift up to 50 lbs. Driving as needed for job duties.
No
Does this position have operation, access, or control of financial resources? :
No
Does this position require a P-Card? :
No
Is having a P-Card an essential function of this position? :
No
Is driving a requirement of this position?:
Yes
Does this position have direct interaction or care of children under the age of 18 or direct patient care?:
No
Does This Position Have Security Access (e.g., Public Safety, IT Security, Personnel Records, Patient Records, Or Access To Chemicals And Medications):
No
Background Investigation Policy:
Offers of employment are contingent upon completion of a background investigation including, a criminal background check demonstrating your eligibility for employment with the University of Georgia; confirmation of the credentials and employment history reflected in your application materials (including reference checks) as they relate to the job-based requirements of the position applied for; and, if applicable, a satisfactory credit check. You may also be subject to a pre-employment drug test for positions with high-risk responsibilities, if applicable. Please visit the UGA Background Check website.
Contact Details:
For questions concerning this position or recruitment progression, please refer to the Recruitment Contact listed below.
Recruitment Contact Name:
Amanda Spivak
Recruitment Contact Email:
apsivak@uga.edu